Philadelphia 76ers, Let There Be Light!

Mar 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Joel Embiid (right) share a laugh during warm ups before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Joel Embiid (right) share a laugh during warm ups before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

SIMply Mahvahlous

The last piece to add to this mix is simply simmons, Ben Simmons to be exact. It has been far to easy to ignore the top draft picks absence from the team with the better-than-expected play of Joel Embiid.

Of the point guards who have come and stayed or come and gone, the determining factor will be defense.

"“Ultimately, this whole program, it needs to be based on defense. It has to be. We’ve talked about it ad nauseam. Whatever that equals in relation to who’s on the floor, and what the pairings are is the direction that I’m going to take the program. We’re going to look forward to seeing different pairings, and I think the numbers that bear out will influence dramatically on how we play our team.” -head coach Brett Brown before departing with team for four game road trip December 2016"

As Ben Simmons will line up at point guard, the team will need to keep an eye to stockpile guards who excel at defense and offense without the ball.  With the 2017 NBA Draft, the team may be able to do just that.

There was bound to be some growing pains, and there likely will be more ahead.  But this team is growing up and maturing very quickly.  The fact that the team appears to be on the mend now is in itself a very remarkable sign.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers 2017 NBA Draft Christmas Shopping List

In a matter of months, the play on the basketball court will distract many of us away from the virtual general manager complexities of the Philadelphia 76ers’ current situation.  And then, we’ll wonder what all the fuss was about.